First day of spring features blowing snow warning

Environment Canada has issued a blowing snow warning for the Swift Current-Herbert-Cabri-Kyle-Lucky Lake forecast area in advance of strong winds this afternoon and evening.

Wind speeds of 59 kilometers per hour were being experienced in Swift Current before noon hour today, and Environment Canada advises that higher wind speeds and snow are anticipated tonight and into Thursday.

"A strong storm system developing over Central Alberta today will lead to deteriorating weather conditions throughout the day into tonight across Western Saskatchewan. Southeast winds are increasing across all of Western Saskatchewan today, with winds of 50 kilometers per hour gusting to 80 kilometers per hour expected by late afternoon. Visibility will deteriorate throughout the day into tonight as blowing snow becomes more prevalent, with hazardous driving conditions due to poor visibility and slippery roads expected to be widespread throughout the area. Some highways are already reporting near zero visibility as of late morning in the Battleford region due to blowing snow. As snow pushes into West-Central Saskatchewan towards evening near blizzard conditions with near-zero visibility will become more widespread. Conditions should gradually improve Thursday as the system weakens.